The Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), has raised an alarm that the growing activities of terrorists in the sub-region are a threat to West Africa integration and stability.
Speaking at the 47th ordinary session of the Mediation and Security Council, meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and Chairperson of the Council, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, said the current increasing activities of terrorists in the sub-region should be of concern to everyone.
The meeting is one of the various meetings that precede the meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and the Government of ECOWAS.
Botchwey expressed worry that the attacks by terrorist and violent extremist groups are increasing across the region, leaving no member state spared, as a potential target.
She added that with the already difficult situation, is the military takeover in Guinea, after the one in Mali, weakening the community.
She told the gathering that the deteriorating security environment in the region is of grave concern, from the Sahel region, through the Lake Chad basin and beyond.
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Botchwey said the Commission is worried over the gradual military incursion in governance in West Africa.
She lamented that this remains a challenge for the sub-region.
She also raised concern over the threat posed by the new Omicron Covid variant, decrying that: “The COVID 19 pandemic has also added a new layer of complexity, with growing cases of the new Omicron variant, and a possible new wave, threatening social cohesion, the welfare of citizens and economic recovery.
She however noted that it was not a sad story as some successes were recorded in the region.
On the ongoing summit, she assured that: “This session will also, among other things, consider the draft revised Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, following the directive from the heads of state or the Extraordinary Summit, held on the 16th of September 2021 in Accra, to review the protocol.
She revealed that one of the expectations from the meeting is solidifying some new provisions, which have been introduced to ensure tenure limits.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
